The U.N. Security Council on Sunday unanimously condemned the killing of at least 108 people, including many children, in the Syrian town of Houla, a sign of mounting outrage at the massacre that the government and rebels blamed on each other. Images of bloodied and lifeless young bodies, laid carefully side by side after the onslaught on Friday, triggered shock around the world and underlined the failure of a six-week-old U.N. ceasefire plan to stop the violence. Western and Arab states opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad put the blame for the deaths squarely on the government. But Damascus rejected the charge. "The Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the killings, confirmed by United Nations observers, of dozens of men, women and children and the wounding of hundreds more in the village of (Houla), near Homs, in attacks that involved a series of government artillery and tank shellings on a residential neighborhood," the non-binding statement … [Read more...] about U.N. Security Council condemns Syria over massacre
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UN Security Council endorses Kofi Annan’s Syria proposals
Members of The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously endorsed proposals presented to Syria by Kofi Annan, the international envoy attempting to end a year of violence in the country. In a separate statement, they also condemned recent terror attacks in the Syrian capital of Damascus, reminding all such responses must comply with international law and safeguard human rights. The panel of 15 expressed its support for Annan, the joint special envoy for Syria of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, in a presidential statement, a device demanding consensus in the Security Council, but lacking in having the legal standing of a resolution, which carries the weight of international law. The condemnation of terrorism in Syria was issued in a press statement, one rung on the ladder below that of a presidential statement, informally representing the consensus of council members. The presidential statement endorsed the six-point proposal Annan presented to the … [Read more...] about UN Security Council endorses Kofi Annan’s Syria proposals
Six countries enter UN Security Council
"Peace and security are difficult to achieve," Kazakh envoy Kairat Umarov, who took the rotating presidency in January, told council members at a special ceremony. "You are going to have a real chance to make a difference."One after the other, ambassadors representing the council's six new member countries - five men and a woman, Polish envoy Joanna Wronecka - placed their flag among those of the body's nine other members.The UN Security Council has 15 members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to veto resolutions - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.Three women and 12 men are among the 15 ambassadors who will soon be seated at the U-shaped table in the center of the Security Council's chamber.In addition to Wronecka and US envoy Nikki Haley, Karen Pierce will take her seat later this month as Britain's new ambassador.The six countries who left the UN Security Council on Dec 31 are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay. … [Read more...] about Six countries enter UN Security Council
UN Security Council adopts resolution to tighten sanctions against DPRK
Resolution 2397, which passed the 15-member council unanimously, bans nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum product exports to the DPRK, by setting a ceiling of 500,000 barrels during a period of 12 months beginning Jan 1, 2018. It provides for the same amount in 12-month periods thereafter with conditions.It also caps crude oil exports to the DPRK at the current level of 4 million barrels a year...In addition, the resolution bans DPRK exports of food and agricultural products; machinery; electrical equipment; earth and stone, including magnesite and magnesia; wood and vessels.It bans the supply of industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, and iron, steel, and other metals to the DPRK. The resolution provides for measures to stop ships illegally providing oil to the DPRK through ship-to-ship transfers and smuggling DPRK coal and other prohibited commodities by sea...The resolution reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in … [Read more...] about UN Security Council adopts resolution to tighten sanctions against DPRK
UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on North Korea over missile test
A Security Council resolution adopted 15-0 seeks to ban nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum product exports to North Korea by capping them at 500,000 barrels a year and, in a last-minute change, demands the repatriation of North Koreans working abroad within 24 months, instead of 12 months as first proposed.The U.S.-drafted resolution also caps crude oil supplies to North Korea at 4 million barrels a year and commits the Council to further reductions if Pyongyang were to conduct another nuclear test or launch another ICBM.North Korea on Nov. 29 said it successfully tested a new ICBM in a “breakthrough” that puts the U.S. mainland within range of its nuclear weapons whose warheads could withstand re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere.Tensions have been rising over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, which it pursues in defiance of years of U.N. Security Council resolutions, with bellicose rhetoric coming from both Pyongyang and the White House.In … [Read more...] about UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on North Korea over missile test